My Kingdom of Rubble

The only movement emanating from the cabin was the bouncing of the car as it sped along the track, and the pacing of Chrysalis in between toppled luggage containers. Ozzy, for his part, was resting between two hefty luggage cases, both making for comfortable make-shift pillows. After this 'Spike' had passed out, Ozzy had been contemplating reading through the journal. In the event that the dragon would awake, he would surely be upset that the alien that had scared him beyond belief was reading through his most private thoughts.

Chrysalis had set to work robbing the passengers of the train for any valuables they may have been carrying. It would make them look bad if someone happen to traverse to the final car, of course, but having even a minuscule amount of bits for any supplies would surely be worth it. Bits, exquisite pieces of jewelry, watches, gold, anything the Changeling could abscond with once they disembarked from the train. Ozzy was no stranger to theft, but the thought of not only being viewed as a thief, let alone a hostile alien, would surely make matters more complicated if the pair was caught.

Their loot was transferred to one of the spare Yeti skin bags that Ozzy was carrying. The jingle of stolen goods was enthralling to Chrysalis, but also reminded her that in order to do anything with these goods, she would have to hunt down a decent fence. Stolen valuables could not be sold to decent shop keepers, as she was certain.

Spike, still out cold, was propped up against the back wall in clear sight. If he happened to awake before the train reached Appleloosa, then the duo would have to use... Other means to keep the dragon quiet. Ozzy was more keen on convincing the dragon to stay quiet, as his so called 'plan' of being a peaceful alien was falling to pieces around him. Showing up to a new planet and murdering one of the inhabitants, plus theft, would no doubt harm his reputation.

After another hour of being aboard the train, the pair had devoured what was left of the Yeti meat. Once their meal had ended, Ozzy was still left with the prospect of reading through the journal. Normally, this would not be a problem for the Courier, as any information was viewed as good information, but should the dragon discover that he had read through the book, it would not end well.

That was when Ozzy reached a conclusion: he was fucked either way.

You might as well do it. You could always lie to him if he asks.

True. Plus, if there's anything good in here, I could blackmail him with it.

Beautiful. You have your moments when you really live up to your reputation.

With that thought, Ozzy flipped open to the first page, and began reading.

Journal,

Alright, this is a little weird for me. Twilight bought me this journal as a birthday present. She said that it would be a good way to center my thoughts and practice on my writing. I suppose I can't argue with that. I've just never had anything to really record my thoughts in. I don't know how often I will be writing, but I guess any writing is good.

Oh, I should also introduce myself. My name is Spike, and I am nine years old. I live with my big sister, Twilight, in the library in Ponyville, Equestria. We grew up together in Canterlot (the capitol of Equestria), and moved to Ponyville when Princess Celestia (who is Twilight's mentor) told her that she needed to stop being anti-social and go make friends. When we did, we met all of these really nice ponies, minus one of them who I really cannot stand at all *cough cough* Rainbow Dash *cough*.

After we show up, Twilight goes on this huge adventure to save Princess Celestia when her younger sister, Princess Luna, shows up and kidnaps her. Then Twilight goes on another adventure, and then another adventure, and then ANOTHER ADVENTURE. All while I'm stuck here in the library, dusting books.

I have some friends, thankfully. When I'm not organizing the library, I hang out with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom, as well as some others. They're all really nice, though they can be a tad annoying at times. The one pony I try to hang around with the most is one of Twilight's friends, Rarity. She is one of the most beautiful ponies that I have ever met, and she is by far the nicest. I like the rest of them, too, but I like Rarity just a little more.

I can't think of anything else to write right now, so I guess I'll end it here. I don't know if I should name this journal as that kinda seems like a mare-ish thing to do, so I may just keep it at Journal. I hope that works.

• Spike

Journal,

I haven't written in here in a very long time, and believe me, I have a lot to write about. First and foremost:

I messed up. I messed up really bad.

It was my birthday recently. Everypony got me gifts, all of which I was extremely grateful for. But then something started happening. I started getting bigger, the more things I took from ponies. It didn't even matter what it was, I just kept getting bigger and bigger. Twilight took me to a doctor, although I can't really remember what he said. Those next few hours were kind of a blur to me. I do remember this, though: I got really big, and started wrecking everything. The Wonderbolts were called in, and if I wasn't the cause of the problem, I'd be very excited.

That wasn't the case, though. They were called in to stop me, and I apparently trapped them on a mountanside. I was out of control. I was a giant, greedy monster. I almost hurt ponies. I almost hurt Twilight.

I almost hurt Rarity.

Oh Faust, I almost hurt her. If I had, I don't think I would be able to look the rest of them in the eye. I can barely look at Twilight without feeling incredibly guilty. She's told me before that it's ok and that I didn't realize what I was doing, but I still feel horrible about it. Half of the town is destroyed, and it's all because of me.

Worse than that, I think Rarity realized how I feel about her. The only problem with that is that she shot me down. After everything I've done for her, all of the hours that I've put in to help her, every menial little task. I've done so much for her, and she can't even bother to return my love? I feel horrible. I feel so many things when I think like that. Worst of all, I feel angry towards her, which I really don't want to do.

But I can't help but think about it. It seemed as though she knew beforehand what she was going to say, like she planned it out. That begs the question: had she known this entire time? Have I just been cheap labor to her?

Has she just been using me?

I hope that that isn't the case. I don't want to know what I'd do if that was the truth. I'd hope that I'm actually her friend, and that I mattered to her more than just a gem-detector and ponnequin.

Apart from that, a bunch of other stuff has happened. I'll give a brief overview of what's happened: the library got a new owl assistant, we attended the Grand Galloping Gala, an ancient God of Chaos was awoke, but Twilight and her friends defeated him, and... That's all I can think of right now. Huh. I kinda feel a little better after that.

Alright, I'm out. Later.

• Spike

Journal,

I am happy right where I'm at.

Again, it's been a while since I've written in you, mainly because I store you in my basket and forget about you for a few months. I have a lot to write about, as per the usual. First off, teenage dragons are a bunch of jerks. The Great Dragon Migration was a few days ago, and I wanted to be with my people, but Twilight and her friends wouldn't allow it. I went anyway, then found out that those dragons are just mean and jerks.

That's when I realized: I like Ponyville. I like Twilight, her friends, my friends, and everyone else. Still can't stand Rainbow Dash, though. Sure, I may act cordial toward her, but just her bravado and her voice and her face and her stupidity I swear to Faust that I want nothing more than to just watch her burn alive.

Okay, that was dark of me. But every time that she opens her mouth, it's just about how awesome she is or how stupid or dorky something else is or whatever. She really is insufferable to me, and I'm so close to losing it with her.

Again, a lot of stuff has happened. I think that I'm starting to get over my little crush on Rarity. She may be beautiful and elegant, but I don't want to be with someone who doesn't reciprocate my love and uses me only as a pin cushion. I don't really feel like writing about all of it, to be honest. I'm writing about the here and now. My feelings, my thoughts, my journal. AND IF ANYONE READS THIS, I SWEAR TO FAUST THAT I WILL DESTROY YOU.

I'm kidding on the destroying part. I will be very upset, though.

Alright, I think I'm about done. Later.

• Spike

Journal,

I am the coolest dragon right now.

I SAVED THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE. Me! Spike, the dragon who's only good for keeping the library in top shape! I DID SOMETHING FOR ONCE! Granted, Twilight and those other ones did most of the work, but WHO'S THE BEST? Who's the best?

I'll give you a hint: he's PETITE, not SHORT, purple, and green. Out of guesses?

It's ME!

Oh, yeah, and a wedding happened and some other stuff I don't even CARE right now! I'm a hero in that empire! Not Twilight or Rarity or that Rainbow cunt Rainbow Dash! If Twilight didn't need me at the library because she can't uphold that place to save her life, I think I'd move to the Crystal Empire. I'm a celebrity there, foal! I feel SO GOOD right now!

That's it for me, Journal. I'll see you later!

• Spike, the Greatest Dragon in Equestria

Journal,

I would like to correct my last journal entry. I am not the greatest dragon in Equestria. Far from it.

I AM THE GREATEST DRAGON TO EVER EXIST PERIOD.

Saving the Equestrian Games. Saving Twilight and those other peons in the comic book. SAVING PONYVILLE FROM THE MAD DESIGNER. Oh, I am so great. Seriously, Twilight and her stupid wings can't even compare. I should have more statues built of me, WHERE'S MY RECOGNITION FOR MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS. No, it's only reserved for these idiots that do menial things. Every single one of them pales in comparison to me.

Of course, I can't let them realize it. No, to them I'm still little Spike with the cutest little chubby cheeks. Faust, that was embarrassing. I can't let anyone find this. I play the part so well of the helpless little baby dragon, and this is the only damning piece of evidence that could get me in serious trouble. I can't stand any of these other ponies, but I don't want to be exiled. I don't want to lose Twilight. I can't lose these ponies.

Intolerable as they are, they are family. At least, some of them.

Still hate Rainbow Dash.

The more I read past entries, the more I realize how much I've changed. I went from being a loving little dragon to... This. I'm still a little dragon, unfortunately, but I just... Hate ponies. I didn't think that I was capable of hating anything. Now, though... I just hate a lot of things. Rainbow Dash and everything about her, Pinkie Pie and her overabundance of energy, Applejack and her stupid accent, and Rarity. How she used me.

I even hate how Twilight has left me by the wayside. She goes off onto all of these adventures, and I'm stuck here. Alone. Though, I have been talking a lot with Scootaloo lately. She is one of the more tolerable ponies, apart from the rest. She still has her drawbacks, but she does treat me nicely.

Plus... She is kinda cute. Alright, I did not just write that. Who am I kidding, I did. Whatever.

That's about it, too. Later, Journal.

• Spike

As Ozzy sat there reading the journal, his view of the tiny dragon began to change. What was once viewed as a harmless little vermin was now a harmless little vermin with some major abandonment and superiority issues. This was perfect for blackmail, though. Spike even states that he would be cast out should this come to light. The question was whether or not Ozzy could use this dragon to his advantage.

As Ozzy contemplated his options, Chrysalis came and sat next to him atop a rounded luggage piece. She had the feeling that the Courier was reasoning out his options, and she was curious to know. "Have you found anything of worth in that book?" She adjusted herself, waiting for an answer. Ozzy snapped back to reality upon hearing her voice. "Hell yeah. This dragon has some serious issues, and this would be perfect if he decided to try and oust us." Ozzy looked back to the dragon, and found that he had slid from his upright position to now laying flat on the floor.

"This kid could even help us. We could try and convince him to work with us, and if he refuses, then we turn to blackmail."

There's the crafty bastard that I know and love.

Chrysalis slowly nodded in agreement with his plan. "That depends on whether or not he awakens before we reach Appleloosa. Regardless, I support that idea." She laid flat across the luggage, turning away from Ozzy. "Now, this has been an exhausting day, and I need my rest. Goodnight, Ozzy."

"Yeah, goodnight," He half-heartedly responded. Soon, quiet snores emanated from the Changeling, and Ozzy was alone with his thoughts.

There still looks to be quite some pages left. Care to read some more?

Absolutely.

With that, Ozzy continued reading.

Journal,

Well, one good thing came out of Twilight being a princess. We got some sweet new digs, after our old library had been blown up. Eh, that place was old anyway. But back to the point, this new castle that we're in is basically a giant gem tree. I'm not saying that I tried to eat it, but... My jaw hurts.

Anyway, Twilight and her friends went and had another big adventure AGAIN. Leaving me here AGAIN. Alone. This place gets kind of creepy at night. Apart from that, I've been spending a lot of time with Scootaloo lately. I know the one time I wrote in here that I was in denial about her being cute, but I'm willing to admit it now: I like Scootaloo. I think that she's cute and pretty and when she laughs it makes me feel really good.

Also, some weird stuff has been happening lately, and this is something that I've talked to Twilight about and she says I'm just growing up. The other day, I woke up and... Spike Jr. was sticking straight out. I didn't know what was happening, but I asked Twilight and she said that it was natural. I'm 'just becoming an adult', which is fantastic, but I didn't know things started happening with my... Thing. I don't even know a good name for it. Spike Jr.? Sounds a little juvenile. The actual term for it, 'penis', sounds a little dumb. I'll report on that later.

The weird thing is that it not only does that in the morning, but also when I sometimes think about Scootaloo. Mainly the other day when she dropped something underneath a table, and she turned around to pick it up, and bent over. I saw EVERYTHING, and it very nearly stuck out right there. The even weirder thing, though, was that it almost happens around a lot of other ponies. Fluttershy, Mayor Mare, Celestia... Even Twilight. I don't know, I think of them doing things to me and vice versa and then them doing things to themselves and each other.

Speaking of Spike Jr., I'm looking at him right now. Even writing about it makes it hard. I wonder... If I wanted to do things with other ponies, does it only have to be with one pony? Is it legal to do things with more than one? The Royal Sisters, Fluttershy and Twilight...

Faust, I'm getting off track. I have some more interesting news. Twilight has gone to Canterlot to see Princess Celestia, and some important Minotaur ambassador will apparently be there. I think I'll ask Twilight what's going on when she gets back. Apart from that, I'm out of stuff to talk about. Later, Journal.

• Spike

Journal,

Well, I heard a word that describes a penis very well, and I think I'll use it from now on. 'Dick'. Blunt, to the point. I like it. Enough of that, more news. Twilight came back from Canterlot, though she wouldn't give anything up on what happened with the Minotaur ambassador, only saying that it was 'very serious'. Dammit, I need a better way of finding out information.

That's another thing I noticed about myself: I feel like I've gone from 'I'm the best' to 'I want to win'. I'm not reveling in myself as much as I used to, though I still feel pretty cocky about myself sometimes. Puberty, maybe? I don't know. What I do know is that Twilight, her friends, and I are headed to the Crystal Empire. Twilight said that Celestia also told her that a vacation may help her out mentally, as well as give me an excuse to get away from this damned castle.

We leave tomorrow morning. I can't wait to return to the kingdom where I'm heralded as a hero. Also, I'm feeling particularly daring for some reason. I want to try something, anything new. Something dangerous and edgy. I'll report back on that.

I'm out.

• Spike

Journal,

The whole dangerous thing paid off, but I paid the price. On our way to the Crystal Empire, I decided to try some stunts on top of the train car. I almost fell off, but Twilight caught me. I don't think I've heard her scold me that much since we lived back in Canterlot. She was pissed, mainly because when I almost fell, one of those snow Yetis almost ate me. As if, I could take one of those things on!

Twilight and the others don't think so, though. They all said they were either disappointed in me or furious with me. I'm surprised, to be honest. You'd think that at least one of them would notice that I'm a little twisted in the head. Either that, or I really am that good of a thespian. Regardless, we made it to the Crystal Empire without any problems. I just want to relax and potentially sign a few autographs from my adoring fans. I will report back after we leave.

• Spike

Journal,

Interesting news. Twilight did some digging on snow Yetis and their habits. Apparently, even though she was meant to be relaxing on this vacation, she managed to find out why so many of them have been seen in this frozen area. From official reports with the Empire, and some first hand accounts from travelers who have gone hoof-to-claw with one of these bad stallions, the snow Yetis are naturally attracted to Dragon eggs. Why are so many of them popping up then, when the population has apparently tripled in the past few months?

More and more dragons have set up shop in these parts. Thus, the eggs are attracting the Yetis. The more eggs they eat, the more their mating increases. The more their mating increases, the more deadly Yetis there are wandering around the frozen wasteland. Why the dragons have gone from their volcanic homeland to this tundra is beyond me. All I know is that the problem is getting so bad that the guards at the Empire have been working around the clock to keep the Yetis out.

My guess for the dragons, though, is that something is happening back in The Edge. Dragons don't pick up and move at the drop of a hat. They've been there since Jevrath claimed the Maroon Precipice however many years ago. They could be refugees from a civil war, or just looking to expand their territory. Either way, they're causing problems, and I want to find out what's going on.

We're coming up on my favorite part of the train ride back. This gigantic jewel formation in the middle of this deep freeze. The conductor warned all of us about this, saying that the Yetis get extremely aggressive when they see trains. Twilight said she'll protect the train with some forcefield. I hope I'll get to see these things zap like a bug on a fly trap, but knowing Twilight, she'll only wound the Yetis, not kill them. Forget this, I'm going to the back. I've had my fill of happy talk with these ponies. I need to brood.

I made it to the back, although I'm not sure what's happening. The forcefield went up, but I think I felt something hit the train. I hope one of those things didn't get o-

The entry ended there, apparently ending when Ozzy began to open the door.

This kid is our potential ticket in.

Ozzy looked back to Spike, who had seemingly drifted off into a more peaceful slumber. Should the worst come to pass and Ozzy being forced to use intimidation to achieve his goals, this would be the means to do it. Everything written within the journal was just another wound that could potentially be opened upon the young Dragon.

That is, of course, if the Drake did not play nice. Should he even wake up before Ozzy and Chrysalis exited from the train, he would just store those secrets away for when they could be used at a later date. For now, though, Ozzy knew that they still had quite a long journey ahead of them. He wished desperately for some shut eye, but should Spike awaken from his apparent comatose state, Ozzy would want to be there to greet him, along with Blood Nap.

With that, Ozzy settled in to watch the landscape fly past the windows, eager to return to the desert climate which he was acclimated to.

I have a question.

Shoot.

It's been a while since you got on the train. Don't you think if someone was paying attention with that forcefield, they would've investigated all of the cars? Who's to say they're not coming for you right now?

... Fuck.